John Gamba / Claude Williamson - Mr. Counterpoint + the Fabulous Claude Williamson Trio (2024 Remastered) (2024) [Hi-Res]

Mr. Counterpoint
This album took its title from a club in West Orange, N.J., called Counterpoint. The club was owned by pianist John Gamba, making him one of the few jazz musicians to become a club owner. A skilled technician, the pianist managed to infuse his performances with a good deal of unexpected fire. Indeed, there were moments on “Words,” “Yesterdays,” and “Leaves” that sharply suggested the legendary Eddie Costa. Gamba had the strong percussive approach to his instrument that was a hallmark of Costa and displayed a similar concept of time. Don Cinderella kept tightly in the rhythm section and proved to be a sensitive and imaginative soloist of some measure in “Leaves,” “Things,” and “Words.” Paul Motian, Bill Evans’ drummer for the previous three years, made his presence decidedly felt in the group’s sound, and his secondary playing was very sensitive and musical, adding color and depth to John Gamba’s honest and swinging piano playing.

The Fabulous Claude Williamson Trio
Claude Williamson (1926-2016) stood out as one of the most prolific jazz pianists on the West Coast in the 1950s. Influenced primarily by Teddy Wilson, later by Al Haig and Bud Powell, he took his first steps as a member of Charlie Barnet’s excellent orchestra (1947-1949), showcasing himself as a jazzman with numerous virtues: a burgeoning pianist with a keen sense of emotions and definite instrumental ability. After this initial and enriching experience, Claude accompanied June Christy (1950-1951) and then spent over two years as the resident pianist at the Lighthouse Café, where he solidified his reputation as a soloist with the Howard Rumsey All-Stars. Subsequently, thanks to his exceptional versatility and talent, and until the mid-1960s, Claude played a crucial role not only as the leader of his trio in recordings but also as an accompanist on numerous albums featuring almost all the best jazz performers and orchestras from the Los Angeles scene. In this recording from 1961, Claude leads a trio that delivers a powerful and emotionally charged performance, presenting an excellent selection of standards with many captivating moments.